The aim of this study is to explore the impact of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on upper limb motor function in subacute cerebral infarction patients.

This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted from January 2023 to July 2024 at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital. A total of 50 individuals were recruited for the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the iTBS group (n=25) or sham stimulation group (n=25), each receiving 10 sessions of intervention, along with conventional rehabilitation therapy. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Motor Evoked Potential (MEP) were measured, and the results of these assessments were compared.

Before and after treatment, there was no significant difference in FMA-UE scores between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the FMA-UE score of the two groups was significantly different from that of the group before treatment (P<0.05). Before and after treatment, there was no significant difference in movement scores between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the ARAT score of iTBS group was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between false stimulation group and before treatment (P>0.05). Before and after treatment, there was no significant difference in WMFT scores between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, WMFT score in iTBS group was higher than that before treatment, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001), while there was no statistically significant difference between false stimulation group and before treatment (P>0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in MBI between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the MBI in iTBS group was higher than that before treatment and in spurious stimulation group at the same time, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Before and after treatment, there was no significant difference in latency and amplitude between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the latency and amplitude of MEP in iTBS group were lower than before treatment (P<0.05).

iTBS stimulation improves upper extremity motor function and enhances functional independence of patients with subacute stroke. This provides strong evidence for the potential inclusion of iTBS as a key adjunctive therapy in stroke rehabilitation protocols.